Question 1

Which of the following best describes a chemical process, as opposed to a physical process, in biochemistry?

Accepted Answer

Electrolysis of water to form hydrogen and oxygen gases

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic shared by all living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Ability to metabolize oxygen

Question 3

According to the theory of abiogenesis, which molecule was likely the first genetic/coding material and why?

Accepted Answer

RNA, because it can both encode information and catalyze reactions

Question 4

Which of the following is a purine nitrogenous base found in nucleic acids?

Accepted Answer

Guanine

Question 5

Which level of protein structure is characterized by the formation of α-helices and β-pleated sheets?

Accepted Answer

Secondary

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the function of glycogen in living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Energy storage in animals

Question 7

What characteristic do all lipids have in common?

Accepted Answer

Hydrophobic

Question 8

Which of the following statements is generally considered true for both prokaryotes and eukaryotes?

Accepted Answer

Both have ribosomes and plasma membranes

Question 9

Which of the following contains an incorrect match of the organelle function/description?

Accepted Answer

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum: lipid synthesis

Question 10

According to the endosymbiotic theory, which of the following is likely the ancestor of the mitochondria?

Accepted Answer

Aerobic bacteria

Question 11

What is the central dogma of molecular biology directly referring to?

Accepted Answer

Unidirectional flow of information from DNA to RNA to protein

Question 12

Which of the following elements likely make up the largest portion of the mass in an organism?

Accepted Answer

Phosphorus

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the change in entropy when solid ice melts to liquid water?

Accepted Answer

Entropy increases

Question 14

Given the Gibbs free energy equation $$\Delta G = \Delta H - T\Delta S$$, calculate the system’s change in entropy if $$\Delta G = 15\ \mathrm{kJ}$$, $$\Delta H = 40\ \mathrm{kJ}$$, and $$T = 373\ \mathrm{K}.$$

Accepted Answer

$$-13.3\ \mathrm{kJ/K}$$

Question 15

Which of the following statements is FALSE regarding exergonic and endergonic reactions?

Accepted Answer

All endergonic reactions are catabolic

Question 16

At equilibrium, the reaction $$A \rightleftharpoons B + C$$ has the following component concentrations: $$[A] = 3\ \mathrm{mM}$$, $$[B] = 4\ \mathrm{mM}$$, and $$[C] = 10\ \mathrm{mM}. $$What is the standard free energy change for the reaction and is it endergonic or exergonic? (Use $$\Delta G^\circ = -RT \ln K_{eq}$$, $$R = 8.314\ \mathrm{J/(mol\cdot K)}$$, $$T = 298\ \mathrm{K})$$

Accepted Answer

$$-6418\ \mathrm{J}$$

Question 17

Which of the following types of molecules can freely cross a semi-permeable membrane without an energy input?

Accepted Answer

Small, nonpolar molecules

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the function of cristae in mitochondria?

Accepted Answer

Provide a large surface area for chemical reactions

Question 19

Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for a carbohydrate?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{C}_5\mathrm{H}_{10}\mathrm{O}_5$$

Biochemistry Foundations: Introduction, Water, and the Chemistry of Life

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